Vanderbilt Cup Races

Very impressive investigating!

From CSI Report: Two Women and A Motor Parkway Sign

Howard, Regarding the confusion of the 73 Ave. entrance. (Actually the name of the roadway at the time was Black Stump Rd.) Yes, it was an official entrance but only a temporary one.  In 1926 the City of New York asked the Parkway to delay the opening of the Nassau Blvd. entrance as construction of Nassau Blvd. was not fullly completed in that area. The Parkway in 1926 published a brochure that informed motorists coming from the west that the Parkway entrance was on Black Stump Rd.(south of the Bridge.) In 1927 the Parkway reprinted the brochure announcing the entrance on Nassau Blvd. was now opened. Hope this clears up the confusion. Al Velocci

From Long Island Motor Parkway Signs Updated 2/13/2016

You guys are just too good at this.
-joe

From CSI Report: Two Women and A Motor Parkway Sign

The CSI (Cup Scene Investigation) Team has published their comprehensive report on the location of the two women in the photo:
http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/csi_report_two_women_and_a_motor_parkway_sign

From Long Island Motor Parkway Signs Updated 2/13/2016

Hi Mitch,

You are correct, the 73rd entrance was an unofficial entry to the Motor Parkway and there was no entrance at North Hempstead Turnpike Motor Parkway bridge:

http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/the_motor_parkway_bridges_1_north_hempstead_turnpike_parkway_bridge_in_fres

From Long Island Motor Parkway Signs Updated 2/13/2016

Great item, Howard. BTW-The Revs Institute has a marvelous collection of photographs of this race. I will try and share a few of these with you.

From Race Profile: 1915 Vanderbilt Cup Race in San Francisco, California

Howard, The ladies are standing in front of the southeast embankment wall of the Rocky Hill Rd./Springfield Blvd. entrance to the Parkway. Al

From Long Island Motor Parkway Signs Updated 2/13/2016

Ill have to keep an eye out for the series…

But I have a question… If you had an exact replica of the Alco would you be more tempted to push its outer limits in terms of speed?

J.

From The Black Beast and the Red White Featured in the New History Channel Mini-Series

Hi Bob:

Thanks for the post and information! 

The filmmakers definitely took some liberties with the cars and course. In one take, we almost rewrote history when my “Winton” car beat “Henry Ford’s” car to the finish line.  But, don’t worry, the Ford will be the victor in the final cut!

From The Black Beast and the Red White Featured in the New History Channel Mini-Series

The footage of the Alco and the White is great and very evocative of the Vanderbilt Cup races. Unfortunately it is not evocative of the 1901 race between Henry Ford and Alexander Winton. That race took place on a one-mile oval horse track and the cars were much more primitive than the Alco and the White. Click on the “historic 1901 sweepstakes race” link that Howard has conveniently provided to see what the real race looked like. Ford’s winning car is on exhibit at Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI, and the Museum has a running replica.

From The Black Beast and the Red White Featured in the New History Channel Mini-Series

Neat video.  I do wonder when History Channel will actually acknowledge the existence of this miniseries.  Nothing on their web site about it.  You’d think they would be excited!

From The Black Beast and the Red White Featured in the New History Channel Mini-Series

Thanks for the info. Howard and the pics of the posts - I need to check them out!

From Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series:#19 I.U. Willets Road Motor Parkway Bridge in Searingtown

I loved it!!!  I can’t wait for the History Channel’s series to start.
Terrific video.
Rog

From The Black Beast and the Red White Featured in the New History Channel Mini-Series

Looks like the Beast wins again, as it did in Indy last year.

From The Black Beast and the Red White Featured in the New History Channel Mini-Series

Howard, isn’t it true that the 73rd Avenue entrance was not really an official entrance? Although we know what the Nassau Boulevard sign looked like, there could have been more than one sign. But in the photo, it appears that there is a high concrete wall behind the sign, and this would not have been the case at Nassau Blvd. This would indicate that it is more likely Springfield Boulevard. Having said all that, Sam Berliner used to say that he thought there might have been an entrance near the North Hempstead Turnpike bridge—can you debunk that theory? If there was an entrance there, the sign could be near that bridge, which did have a high concrete wall.

From Long Island Motor Parkway Signs Updated 2/13/2016

hot stuff! congratulations to you and Ed and the the beast.

From The Black Beast and the Red White Featured in the New History Channel Mini-Series

Howard,  I could not locate either a Harriet Teitsen nor Seitsen, however there was a Harriet Feitsen.  The 1925 NYS Census lists her as living on Jasmine St., Flushing, and the 1930 U.S. Census lists Harriet R. Feitsen as living on Hyacinth St, Flushing with her Dad, Mom, and sister - she was 14 years old at the time.  Maybe she is in one of the photos.

From Long Island Motor Parkway Signs Updated 2/13/2016

Howard,  The missing words on the sign probably are “Car and”.

From Long Island Motor Parkway Signs Updated 2/13/2016

I presently live near the start of the Motor Parkway here in Fresh Meadows. Back in the 50’s I rode my bike up from Cambria Heights to ride on the Motor Parkway.  I am frequently. in the area by Lakeville Road and L.I. J hospital. I have seen the church, but never before recall noticing the tool house behind it.  The complex where Sperry area was is now mostly a medical complex.
Thanks for sharing.
Gene

From Then & Now: William K. Vanderbilt Jr's Deepdale Gate Lodge in Lake Success

Bruce, I think that is an excellent guess.

Clearly, it was near a Motor Parkway entrance like Springfield Boulevard. The copy “to all points on Long Island” also implies the sign was in Queens.

There were only three entrances to the Motor Parkway in Queens; Nassau Boulevard, 73rd Avenue and Springfield Boulevard.

From Long Island Motor Parkway Signs Updated 2/13/2016